Candid Reflections of A Female Missioner Pastor In Panama
It was getting closer to 8pm. Cristo Negro starts his processional march from the San Felipe and through the streets of Portobello at exactly at 8:00pm. Not before. Regular attendees knew what to expect and so the dancing began as though to hasten the time.
When the bells tolled announcing that 8pm arrived there was a deafening roar of ‘ariba’ from the crowd, calling for El Nazareno to be lifted up for the procession. The sound was electrifying.
November 1 was All Saints Day and today November 2 is All Souls Day (Día de los Muertos) or Day of the Dead (Dia de los Difuntos).The vendors I saw at the cemetery gate were selling flowers to the numerous relatives who would turn up today to pay special tribute to their loved ones. In Roman Catholic tradition, Day of the Dead is connected to their doctrine on Purgatory.
It’s that time again, for the celebration of el Christo Negro in Portobello, Panama. The festival of the Black Christ as we English speakers call it (following American usage), is set to begin this weekend with the annual pilgrimage to Portobello. The actual festival of the Black Christ will be on Tuesday October 21, but [...]
Panama’s Festival of El Christo Negro is testimony to the fact that some Black Panamanians and people from other parts of the world, do not count their devotion as foolishness but are filled with hope in their encounters with this representation of Christ. It is important to clarify this common error made by some Christians.
September is the Month of Sacred Texts in Panama. Some Christians call it the Month of the Bible, and some others call it the Month of the Holy Scriptures. I prefer the official inclusive term -Month of Sacred Texts which also includes extra – biblical texts that are also sacred.The authorities did not limit the [...]
A Child’s Good Friday Question A reflection on Jesus’ crucifixion and death takes on new meaning when seen through the eyes of a child. I know many pastors can identify with those award winning moments when after a beautiful service (at least in your mind), a child approaches you with a doozy of a [...]
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